Tetradrachm of Areus, minted c. 265 BC. The first Spartan coin.[1]
King of Sparta
Reign
309–265 BC
Predecessor
Cleomenes II
Successor
Acrotatus II
Areus I (Greek: Ἀρεύς; c. 320 or 312 – 265 BC) was Agiad King of Sparta from 309 to 265 BC. His reign is noted for his attempts to transform Sparta into an Hellenistic kingdom and to recover its former pre-eminence in Greece, notably against the kings Antigonos Gonatas of Macedonia and Pyrrhus of Epirus.
The first part of Areus' reign was dominated by the influence of his uncle and regent Cleonymus, a skilled general who campaigned in Greece and abroad at the head of mercenary armies. Areus' first record in the scanty ancient sources took place in 281 BC, when he led an alliance of Greek city-states to challenge Macedonian control over Greece, but was rapidly defeated by the Aitolian League (allied with Macedonia). In 275 BC, Cleonymus defected to Pyrrhus of Epirus, who launched an invasion of the Peloponnese in 272 BC. Areus nevertheless repelled the attack and pursued Pyrrhus until his death in Argos. Thanks to the prestige of this victory, Areus founded another alliance in 267 BC with Athens and Egypt against the Macedonian king Antigonos Gonatas. The following Chremonidean War was however a disaster for the Greeks; Areus died in battle near Corinth in 265 BC.
Although the military activity of Areus shows that Sparta had temporarily regained some of its former glory, the main interest of his reign is the introduction of Hellenistic features in the traditionally austere Sparta. For the first time in centuries, prominent artists are found in Sparta—likely attracted by the sponsorship of Areus, who probably built the first theatre of the city. Areus is also known as the king who first minted coins in Sparta, whereas money was hitherto banned. His posture as a Hellenistic king brought him considerable international prestige, but altered the constitutional order of the city, notably by eclipsing kings of the other Spartan dynasty.
In order to facilitate his recruitment of Jewish mercenaries, Areus claimed a shared ancestry with the Jews, who answered favourably and later repeatedly renewed their friendship with Sparta, even though the reality of this Spartan-Jewish connection is disputed.
in 272 BC. Areus nevertheless repelled the attack and pursued Pyrrhus until his death in Argos. Thanks to the prestige of this victory, Areus founded another...
his nephew AreusI in 309. However, Areus II never reigned as he died still a child in 254, and Leonidas succeeded him (r. 254–235). Areus II was honoured...
Areus may refer to: AreusI, king of Sparta from 309 to 265 BC, son of prince Acrotatus, grandson of Cleomenes II Areus II, king of Sparta from 262 to...
spontaneous alliance between the city state of Argos, the Spartan king AreusI and the Macedonian king Antigonus Gonatas. The battle ended with the death...
Acrotatus (Areus' son) c.275, he went into exile in Epirus and fought against Sparta during Pyrrhus' invasion of the Peloponnese in 272. AreusI, son of...
Sparta from 370 to 309 BC. He was the second son of Cleombrotus I, and grandfather of AreusI, who succeeded him. Although he reigned for more than 60 years...
Alexander the Great (reigned 336-323 BCE). I Maccabees regards Onias as a contemporary of the Spartan king AreusI (309-265 BCE). "Josephus is ... mistaken...
297–272 BC) and an alliance consisting of Sparta, under the command of King AreusI (r. 309–265 BC) and his heir Acrotatus, and Macedon. The battle was fought...
and kills the king of Sparta, AreusI near Corinth, after which he besieges Athens. Acrotatus II succeeds his father AreusI as king of Sparta. Hiero II...
decisive and crushing victory outside Corinth during which the Spartan King AreusI was killed. With their primary ally defeated and too militarily weak to...
and kills the king of Sparta, AreusI near Corinth, after which he besieges Athens. Acrotatus II succeeds his father AreusI as king of Sparta. Hiero II...
with a rebellion by an Athenian-led coalition of Spartans (led by King AreusI of Sparta), Athenians (led by Chremonides), Arcadians and Achaeans that...
Heracles. As a result, Polyperchon murders Heracles and his mother Barsine. AreusI succeeds his grandfather Cleomenes II as king of Sparta. A census is carried...
Peloponnese for himself. As a large part of the Spartan army led by king AreusI is in Crete at the time, Pyrrhus has great hopes of taking the city easily...
contemporary of Alexander the Great. Onias I, son of Jaddua. Contemporary of AreusI of Sparta (reigned 309–265 BCE). Simon I, son of Onias. Josephus identified...
Sacred War (281 - 280 BC), between the Aitolian League and the Spartan king AreusI. This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title The...
themselves, however, were named after the twins' grandsons, the kings Agis I and Eurypon, respectively. The Agiad line was regarded as being senior to...
Arete of Cyrene – Cyrenaic philosopher, daughter of Aristippus AreusI – King of Sparta Areus II – King of Sparta Argas – notably bad poet Argentarius – two;...
Cathy Areu is an American journalist, author, and former educator who appeared on Fox News in the role of the "Liberal Sherpa". Areu obtained her Bachelor...
contemporary of Alexander the Great. I Maccabees regards Onias as a contemporary of the Spartan king AreusI (309-265 BCE). Onias I is thought to be the father...
Peloponnese) in about 546 and suffered a further crippling blow from Cleomenes I at the Battle of Sepeia in 494. Repeated expeditions against tyrannical regimes...
with the help of Pyrrhus of Epirus. A Sixth Sacred War, 281 BC, led by AreusI was rebuffed by the Aetolians alone and in 280 BC, they took control of...
break through to Attica and the plan failed. In 265/4 BC, the Spartan king AreusI once again tried to cross the Isthmus of Corinth and aid the beleaguered...
Peloponnese for himself. As a large part of the Spartan army led by king AreusI is in Crete at the time, Pyrrhus has great hopes of taking the city easily...
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